Pelvic Actinomycosis Masquerading as Malignancy
Journal Title: Gynecology and Obstetrics Research – Open Journal - Year 2016, Vol 3, Issue 2
Abstract
Pelvic actinomycosis is a chronic granulomatous suppurative disease caused by Actinomyces israeli. The opportunistic anaerobic bacterium Actinomycosis israeli is a normal part of the human flora in the oropharynx, gastrointestinal and genital tract.1 More than 50% of actinomycosis infections occur in the craniofacial region. Pelvic infection accounts for 20% of human cases.2 Abdominal-pelvic actinomycosis is often mistaken for other conditions, presenting a pre-operative diagnostic challenge. The infection mimics ovarian tumors and tuberculosis and is diagnosed only after surgery in most of the cases. Actinomycosis secrete proteolytic enzymes, disrupt tissue planes and compress surrounding tissues which makes their presentation closer to a malignant process.3 Slow growing nature of actinomyces, non-specific clinical presentation and extensive spread before the diagnosis is made often pose a clinical challenge. Owing to slow growing nature and chronic inflammatory process, pre-operative diagnosis is difficult and is often made retrospectively after surgical debulking. Infection is rare in infants and children. Many cases are found in women using intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUCD). Actinomycosis is 3 times more common in men than women. Alcoholism, intravenous drug abuse, peptic ulcer, and biliary tract disease are risk factors for actinomycosis.4 It is most commonly found in regions of low socio-economic status and poor hygiene.5 We review a case of pelvic actinomycosis that was managed at the Obstetric and Gynecology Department of K. J. Somaiya Hospital, Mumbai, India.
Authors and Affiliations
Aakash Pandita
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP553807
- DOI 10.17140/ GOROJ-3-135
- Views 191
- Downloads 0
Human Placentas and the Changing Face of Reproductive Toxicology Testing
Pharmaceuticals are in use by 40-98% of pregnant mothers in the developed world, varying by country. There is a significant potential for obstetricians to further maintain medical prescriptions for chronic diseases durin...
Potential Co-Factor Role of Tobacco Specific Nitrosamine Exposures in the Pathogenesis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Background: Cerebellar developmental abnormalities in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) are linked to impairments in insulin signaling. However, co-morbid alcohol and tobacco abuses during pregnancy are common. Sinc...
Bilateral Massive Hematoma of Bartholin Glands after Prolonged Labour: A Case Report
Background: The early postpartum hematoma represents a rare complication which can appear in the early post-partum period. Its formation and development is favoured by the hypervascularization of the genital area during...
Heterotopic Pregnancy
Heterotopic pregnancy is a rare gynaecological condition whereby there is a presence of an intrauterine pregnancy and extrauterine pregnancy at the same time. It was first defined by Duverney in 1708 as an autopsy findin...
Female Genital Schistosomiasis: A Neglected Tropical Disease
Female genital schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease. Few clinicians consider it in their differential diagnosis. Yet this disease affects hundreds of millions of people. Hundreds of thousands of them actually...